Sad priorities

[jdgator]

my son took a 8 week apprentice welding course at the local tech school. It was a special class just to teach technique. He finished the course in 7 weeks, and was offered a starting job at a local mfg company at 32.00, matching 401k, insurance, and 40 hours a week minimum. Not to bad for a 19 year old kid with no bills to pay, but his money does get spend on a certain girl

Ain't no reason to be working at a 14 dollar job if you are willing to learn and work

Congrats to your son on starting a good career.

I have a 10 year old and a 7 year old. I hope they find meaningful work when they leave the nest and not just float from thing to thing.

 

[ChidJ]

Most of those "old" people have worked and contributed 30-40-50+ years to cover their burden!

Don't misunderstand me. I put "burden" in quotes for a reason. Even though some folks are beyond their years of economic productivity, it doesn't mean they aren't valuable. However, make no mistake. one operation or procedure can cost as much as a lifetime of Medicare contributions.

For example, lets say you make 100k annually. This would make you a disproportionately high contributor. You pay out 1,450 every year in Medicare tax. You do this for 45 years. You've contributed a little more than 60k. That's enough for 1 hip replacement or a year of dialysis or half of a heart bypass surgery or 6 months of assisted living. Most Americans over 65 will need more than one of these things.

I say this to point out that even folks who do honorable work their whole lives don't "cover their burden". It should be enough, but it isn't.

 

[Tblank]

Don't misunderstand me. I put "burden" in quotes for a reason. Even though some folks are beyond their years of economic productivity, it doesn't mean they aren't valuable. However, make no mistake. one operation or procedure can cost as much as a lifetime of Medicare contributions.

For example, lets say you make 100k annually. This would make you a disproportionately high contributor. You pay out 1,450 every year in Medicare tax. You do this for 45 years. You've contributed a little more than 60k. That's enough for 1 hip replacement or a year of dialysis or half of a heart bypass surgery or 6 months of assisted living. Most Americans over 65 will need more than one of these things.

I say this to point out that even folks who do honorable work their whole lives don't "cover their burden". It should be enough, but it isn't.

You left off the compounding interest over the 40 years.

 

[Batjack]

He also forgot that most of the money we paid in goes to house, feed, and cover the e.r. bills of those "poor and unfortunate".... lazy bums that never worked a day in their life and spit out kids one per year (each with a different baby daddy) like a brood sow.

 

[livinoutdoors]

Two things,
The market is a chance, not a sure thing. Just because you work hard and earn it doesnt mean you are gonna be successful. Just how it is.
The second is just my point of view, but if you measure how well you live now compared to most any other person in history you will find you have it quite good. Even if someone else is doin a bit better.

 

[fireman32]

Some kids don’t even know that there are good paying jobs available. I’ve told my two over and over, if you’ll show up, be willing to learn and have a half decent work ethic you can have just about whatever job you want, and make as good a living as you want. But you have to want it, and you’ll likely have to move from this low income ag town.

 

[NE GA Pappy]

I know a young man that graduated from UGA with an engineering degree. He is <33 years old. With a few years under his belt, he was hired to run a plant with around 40 employees and knocking down >200K. His shift manager under him has been with the company for over 30 years, doesn't have a high school education but plenty of common sense, and he is snagging >150k.

The jobs are out there, you just have to want it bad enough to work for it.

I had a guy working for me ( notice I said HAD) who would show up right at starting time, leave right on the dot, even if we had a customer there, and was not going to do any more than required. Those types of people will never make 100K.

 

[earlthegoat2]

@sinclair1, I just think you happen to be a supervisor in an industry that does very well at finding mediocre talent for your entry level positions.

There are many industries out there like that but I think you, in your particular position get to see all the madness around these folks and their messed up priorities.

I have it in my industry too. I’m not these people’s direct report thankfully. These folks don’t speak English and were not born here and probably have questionable documentation.

 

[Crakajak]

Dang, I feel guilty every time I spend 50 bucks on a bottle of Jameson Black Barrel...

I feel guilty if I buy bottled water.

 

[fflintlock]

I feel guilty if I buy bottled water.

You should, well water is better...

 

[Crakajak]

You should, well water is better...

Sometimes I,m not close to a water source like that.I have been known for refilling the bottles with well water

 

[Buford_Dawg]

Yep, see if all the time and I know several young people that fit the narrative. Thankfully my 23 and 26 year old son's dont and work their butts off. They don't want handouts.

 

[Buford_Dawg]

Sometimes I,m not close to a water source like that.I have been known for refilling the bottles with well water

Yep, I do alot of water drinking from kitchen spicket, filling up kroger water bottles, they last me along time, LOL....

 

[sinclair1]

@sinclair1, I just think you happen to be a supervisor in an industry that does very well at finding mediocre talent for your entry level positions.

There are many industries out there like that but I think you, in your particular position get to see all the madness around these folks and their messed up priorities.

I have it in my industry too. I’m not these people’s direct report thankfully. These folks don’t speak English and were not born here and probably have questionable documentation.

Thankfully I don’t have to deal with them direct. Savannah is full of the entitled. You are right that they are in distribution more so.
My wife is in the building industry and has some good folks.
I am Facility Manager now days, I had get out of having to deal with metrics and poor performance.
Too old for that mess, now I just run the safety, training, security and maintenance of the Operation.

It’s been extra hard to find a good maintenance staff that can work on the machines.

 

[sinclair1]

Then there’s the really expensive car that’s parked at a run down (probably rented) single wide trailer. That’s always been puzzling to me.

I fished with a guy who lived in an old single wide and had a super nice truck and top of the line Ranger bass boat.

Not smart financially, but for an old bachelor, it worked.

 

[Crakajak]

View attachment 1275264
I fished with a guy who lived in an old single wide and had a super nice truck and top of the line Ranger bass boat.

Not smart financially, but for an old bachelor, it worked.

I would be that guy except I got married.

 

[bassboy1]

At 67, I’m now costing the next generation money when they contribute to SS. Luv it! Love my full retirement SS check for my wife and me.
...
They ever adopt the “I’m entitled” mentality will be the day ol Poppy got nothing left in the tank for them.

I find the irony in this amusing.

 

[livetohunt]

He's just the opposite of people who have money..men who have lots of money usually drive old trucks, wear the same clothes they had 5 years ago, wear old boots, and can be found at the local diners..I fully expect Biden to start paying off their credit card debt once he finishes with the student loan payoffs. After all, winning an election nowadays boils down to who promises the most free stuff .

 

[jdgator]

I think this is a good season to recognize we are all very blessed. We live in the United States in 2023.

 

[Batjack]

He's just the opposite of people who have money..men who have lots of money usually drive old trucks, wear the same clothes they had 5 years ago, wear old boots, and can be found at the local diners..I fully expect Biden to start paying off their credit card debt once he finishes with the student loan payoffs. After all, winning an election nowadays boils down to who promises the most free stuff .

You're so right. Had a friend who by 30 his quarterly tax est. was 3/4 mill. in early 90's.... owned 3 Cobb Co. malls and 4 strip malls. He lived in the house he inherited, smoked Basic cigs., and drank Hamm's Lite beer (once he emptied your cooler).. the Grinch didn't hold a candle to how stingy he was.